| Holocaust survivor tells story of escaping camp (4/09) | | Print | |
| Written by Lily Wong | |
| Tuesday, 28 April 2009 | |
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The Holocaust began with the Nazi regime assuming power in 1933. In the following years, Nazi Germany systematically tried to eliminate the Jewish population confining Jewish people throughout Europe in concentration camps. Sattler went to three different concentration camps, including Auschwitz, according to junior U.S. History Honors student Jenny Huynh, “He showed us his number on his arm,” Huynh said, referring to the tattooed number given to prisoners in concentration camps. Sattler also described his escape from the camp, according to Huynh. He escaped into the forest nearby and hitched a ride home, where he saw his parents for the last time, then ventured to a Jewish ghetto where he was found and returned to camp. “It’s interesting how lucky he was to be able to get a ride,” junior U.S. History Honors student Shirley Ng said. Huynh said she agreed. “It was amazing that he survived three death camps and that he was able to talk to us still,” she said. Sattler’s visit to come was arranged by junior U.S. History Honors student Julia Kotzian. “He’s a really good family friend,” Kotzian said. “I suggested for him to come because my class studied the holocaust and watched Schindler’s List. I thought it would be neat if someone like him could come in and talk to students, even though it is hard to understand what he went through.” Martin and his students were fascinated with Sattler. “For an 86-year-old guy, he was all there,” Martin said. “The students found it interesting, but were quiet and respectful.” Kotzian agreed. “I was surprised as soon as the speaker started speaking, the whole class was silent,” Kotzian said. “No one said a word; they just listened. All of my classmates enjoyed it.” Ng not only enjoyed the presentation, but thought it complimented what was being taught in class. “The presentation provided a better understanding of what happened from a person who experienced it, instead of from a textbook,” Ng said. Share this article:           |
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